splinter

 "With 'Sagacity,' Saga have made their best album in several years... perhaps even twenty!"

 "The first track ‘Let It Slide’ is something incredible: sharp guitar passages alternating with refined ones and an unusually extended instrumental part."

Saga's 2014 album Sagacity marks a refreshing return to form for the veteran Canadian prog rock band. The record balances modern hard rock with classic prog elements, highlighted by Jim Gilmour’s dynamic keyboard work and Michael Sadler’s commanding vocals. With standout tracks like "Let It Slide" and "Wake Up," the album injects new ideas and energy, reaffirming Saga's relevance after decades. This album is among the band’s best recent works and signals a promising new phase. Discover Saga’s vibrant new chapter by streaming Sagacity and experience classic prog rock reinvented!

 An emotional confirmation but with a step forward.

 The last four tracks definitely look forward, turning to more driven electronics and unexpected drum'n'bass rhythms.

Anathema's tenth album, 'Distant Satellites,' continues their evolution with a blend of melodic rock and electronic elements. The first part recalls previous works with emotional symphonic rock, while the last tracks explore innovative electronic sounds and drum'n'bass rhythms. The band delivers emotive vocal performances, especially from Lee Douglas. The album is seen as a transitional work with promising future directions. Explore Anathema's 'Distant Satellites' and experience their bold blend of emotive rock and electronic innovation.

 The second disc is the main dish of the restaurant 'The Road of Bones'!

 IQ have shown how they can, with over 30 years of career behind them, still produce a seriously inspired album that doesn’t just rely on what’s already been heard.

IQ’s tenth studio album, The Road of Bones, marks a creative and dark evolution with new electronic elements and a return of key members. The double CD edition showcases the band’s renewed energy and ambition with sophisticated tracks blending classic neo-prog with experimental sounds. The album ranks among IQ’s best works, balancing tradition and innovation, and promises a hopeful new chapter for the legendary British band. Explore IQ’s The Road of Bones and dive into a fresh, dark neo-prog journey full of innovation and classic vibes.

 Ghost Stories is truly an incredible step up, something I never expected from them.

 An album with cold and nocturnal atmospheres, delicate, melancholic tones, sounds incredibly unique and refined.

Coldplay's Ghost Stories is a significant artistic leap, featuring experimental, melancholic, and electronic sounds that differ from their earlier pop-rock style. Inspired by Chris Martin's personal struggles, the album creates a cold yet delicate atmosphere. It challenges casual listeners with its complexity and depth but rewards attentive fans with intricate production and emotional sincerity. The reviewer hails it as Coldplay's best work and hopes it signals a new creative phase. Dive into Coldplay's Ghost Stories and experience their most experimental and emotional album yet.

 These 8 years of silence have done the band quite good.

 Circus Pandemonium is an album that is decidedly inspired, balanced between technique, melody, and imagination.

After an 8-year hiatus, Swedish prog-rock band A.C.T returns with their fifth album Circus Pandemonium. The album showcases their signature light-hearted, melodic style with diverse influences including reggae and pop-punk elements. While the strongest compositions are in the first half, the entire record maintains freshness and imagination. Recommended for prog fans and newcomers alike. Discover A.C.T's vibrant Circus Pandemonium and experience a fresh, melodic prog-rock journey today!

 Seeing Haken live was almost mandatory to fully appreciate their technical and creative qualities.

 The true show was delivered by the musicians, especially the two guitarists and their unpredictable movements on their 8-strings.

This review covers Haken's live concert at the Live Forum in Assago, Italy in 2014, celebrating their technical skill and faithful reproduction of their complex studio albums. Despite a surprisingly low turnout, the author praises the band's engaging and powerful performance. The supporting act Lazuli also impressed with a unique blend of prog, folk, and electronic elements. The reviewer recommends witnessing Haken live to fully appreciate their musicianship. Discover the vibrant live energy of Haken and Lazuli—listen to their albums and catch their next show for a truly immersive prog experience!

 'Kaleidoscope'...complete, it encompasses all the band’s elements, developing them in the best possible way, without any element feeling lacking or underdeveloped.

 Once again, a great show of character from Transatlantic, who...confirm themselves as a band always very tight-knit and inspired.

Transatlantic's 2014 album 'Kaleidoscope' stays true to their signature 70s-style progressive rock with two epic suites and three shorter tracks. The band showcases inspired performances from all members, especially Roine Stolt and Mike Portnoy. The album balances long compositions with concise pieces, delivering a vibrant, dynamic listening experience. Vocal duties shift slightly, giving more room to Stolt and Trewavas. This release is praised as a standout in their discography and eagerly anticipated by fans. Dive into Transatlantic's 'Kaleidoscope' to experience classic prog rock's vibrant energy and intricate suites!

 Subsignal do not disappoint expectations and with "Paraiso" they continue to shine especially in melody.

 An album with truly impeccable melodies... highly recommended to those who love the essentially melodic and less technical side of prog.

This review praises Subsignal's third album Paraiso for its strong melodic focus, blending powerful vocals and guitar with tasteful keyboard support. While less daring than previous albums, it remains a standout melodic prog work. The album features notable tracks like "The Stillness Beneath The Snow" and showcases diverse influences. Recommended for fans of melodic progressive music seeking emotional depth and skilled musicianship. Explore Subsignal's Paraiso for a melodic progressive rock journey full of emotion and skilled musicianship.

 This time he hit the mark with a metal album that is more varied in sounds and pays more attention to melody.

 The strong electronic influence makes the difference in this album, making me like it significantly.

James LaBrie's 'Impermanent Resonance' delivers a modern and accessible metal experience distinct from Dream Theater's complex prog-metal style. The album boasts strong electronic influences and catchy melodies, improving on his previous solo effort 'Static Impulse.' While not a masterpiece and missing a standout ballad, it offers varied sounds and a well-balanced mix of keyboards and guitars. Recommended for listeners seeking metal that is less technical but still engaging. Dive into James LaBrie's 'Impermanent Resonance' to discover a fresh and melodic metal journey away from prog-metal complexity.

 An album that escapes the classic standard but shows a band capable of playing with soul, something many don’t recognize in the band.

 If you love the more classic and elaborated Dream Theater, you’ll probably be disappointed, while those who haven’t appreciated the recent too technical and metallic works might find it acceptable.

This review explores Dream Theater's 2013 self-titled album as a melodic and less metal-heavy work that balances prog and soul. It highlights the mature contributions of new drummer Mike Mangini and the revitalized presence of bassist John Myung. The album’s blend of 70s influences, especially Rush, and shorter, expressive tracks mark a new chapter for the band. Overall, it is recommended for fans seeking emotional depth over technical excess. Discover how Dream Theater blends melody and prog-metal in their bold 2013 release—listen and explore this soulful new chapter!